Steven Ray Smith, 75, of Carter Lake, IA (formerly of Kell, IL) passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Omaha VA Medical Center in Omaha, NE, Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Steve was born March 4, 1948, in St. Louis, MO, the oldest of eight children to Archie Ray and Maxine Jewel (Sanders) Smith and they preceded him in death. Steve loved his family but he was first a follower of Christ and was never hesitant to let anyone know.
Steven Ray Smith proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Purple Heart after he was wounded in combat; he returned home from the war in 1969. He married Terry Lee Smith (Thomas) on August 1, 1970, she preceded him in death on March 13, 1998. Steve loved spending time with his family, friends, and loved ones. Many summers were spent at the ballpark and the lake, camping, swimming, and fishing. Steve was most known for his campfire cooking skills and expert packing to ensure no materials, or kids were left behind. A skill he successfully passed on to his children. Most of Steve’s family can tell a story of either fishing with Steve, camping, a game of softball, or a game of late-night poker filled with laughs and enough food to feed an army because there was one when the whole family gathered.
Steve worked many years as a train dispatcher for the Union Pacific Railroad. He was known as “Steamboat” for the…..passion he held for his job. Steve was known for his ability to fix any situation on the tracks. After leaving the Railroad in 1994 he and Terry moved back to Illinois to be closer to family where Steve found many things to consume his time. He fished, hunted, built things, owned property, was a landlord, and took care of his family. In 1998 after Terry’s passing, he returned to the Railroad.
Steve was quick to tell everyone he was blessed in life to have two wives who loved him unconditionally. Steve married Betty Smith on July 10, 2000, and she survives him in Carter Lake, IA. In addition to his wife, Steve is survived by his mother-in-law, Phyllis Dean, his five children, Karen Louise (Smith) Pender, and spouse Carl, Omaha, NE, Brenda (Smith) Golden, Herrin, IL, John Richard Smith and spouse Amanda, Kell, IL, Julius Matolek, Boone, IA, and Jackson Matolek, Carter Lake, IA. Steve was the proudest of his nine grandchildren, Alex Scheer, Omaha, NE, Terry Pender and spouse Kelsey, Evansville, IN, Taylor (Smith) Montgomery and spouse Grant, Creal Springs, IL, Madison Golden, Salem, IL, Makayla Golden, Lebanon, IL., Xander Medina and spouse Anna, Dearborn Heights, MI, Santos Davis, US Army- deployed, Jason Davis, Missouri Valley, IA, Elizabeth Wright, Kell, IL. and his great-grandchildren, Abel, Franklin, Alayna, Olivia, Ellianna, Briar, Xaedyn, and Leum.
Steve is survived by seven siblings, Vickie Rea, Karen (Jim) Dunn, Judy McDonnell, Brenda Smith, Edward (Donna) Smith, John Smith, Bill (Debbie) Smith; and brother-in-law Jess Guilliams. He had numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved to spend time with, he loved to fish with, play cards with, and most importantly impersonate Santa Claus for. He will be missed dearly by so many he was loved by.
In addition to his parents, Archie Ray and Maxine Jewel (Sanders) Smith and his first wife, Terry Lee (Thomas) Smith, Steve was preceded in death by one sibling, Sandra Lee Smith, one son, Steven Ray Smith Jr., father-in-law, Darrell Thomas (Kell, IL), mother-in-law, Rozella Thomas (Kell, IL), brother-in-law Pat McDonnell, and brother-in-law Ken Thomas (Kell, IL).
Cremation services will be held at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE, on Friday, September 1, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
